Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Workshop – Circular Design in Plastics

A Workshop to Master Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the Plastic Sector

The Circular Design in Plastics initiative is organizing this interactive workshop to help industry professionals understand and apply Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a method for measuring and improving the environmental footprint of plastic products. The event will be led by two experts in the field and will alternate between theoretical presentations and hands-on exercises to ensure participants gain practical knowledge applicable to their projects.

Objectives of the Workshop:

• Understand the fundamental principles of LCA and how it supports the transition to a circular economy.

• Learn how to structure and conduct an LCA by exploring its various steps:

  • Definition of objectives

  • Data collection

  • Impact assessment

  • Result interpretation

  • Critical review

• Discover available tools for conducting an LCA and how to use the results for environmental communication.

• Gain hands-on experience in conducting an LCA through practical exercises on a plastic product.

Who Will Lead the Workshop?

• Angélique Léonard – Professor, University of Liège

• Olivier Talon – R&D Coordinator, Materia Nova

Workshop Format:

The event will combine theoretical sessions with practical exercises to ensure a balanced learning experience.

Target Audience:

This workshop is open to:

• Companies involved in plastic production, processing, use, recycling, and tooling.

• Business partners along the plastic value chain with an operational base in Wallonia.

The workshop is free for the target audience, thanks to funding from the Walloon Recovery Plan. However, the organizers reserve the right to decline registrations that do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Workshop Agenda (Provisional):

08:30 - 09:00 → Participant Welcome

09:00 - 09:10 → Introduction

09:10 - 10:40 → Introduction to LCA & Breakdown of LCA Stages – Part 1

• Purpose of LCA?

• The five key principles of LCA.

• Step 1: Defining study objectives and scope.

• Step 2: Data inventory compilation.

10:40 - 11:00 → Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:00 → Breakdown of LCA Stages – Part 2

• Step 3: Calculating environmental impacts.

• Step 4: Interpreting results.

• Step 5: Critical review process.

12:00 - 12:30 → LCA Tools and Environmental Communication Applications – Part 3

12:30 - 13:30 → Lunch Break

13:30 - 14:00 → Practical Exercise 1 – Comparative Study Reflections

14:00 - 15:00 → Practical Exercise 2 – Conducting an LCA on a Plastic Product

• Modeling of the LCA process.

15:00 - 15:20 → Coffee Break

15:20 - 16:40 → Continuation of Practical Exercise 2

• Modeling, impact calculations, and result interpretation.

16:40 - 16:50 → LCA Tools, Support, and Resources

16:50 - 17:00 → Presentation of Circular Design in Plastics Support Initiatives & Closing Remarks

• Rosina Giordano, Circular Economy Coordinator, Plastiwin

Why Participate?

• Gain in-depth knowledge of LCA methodologies and applications.

• Learn how to integrate LCA into your business strategy to enhance sustainability.

• Engage with industry experts and network with peers.

• Understand regulatory trends and how to stay ahead of compliance requirements.

Practical Information:

• 📅 Date & Time: May 22, 2025 (Full-day event).

• 📍 Location: Business Village Ecolys by Actibel, 2 Avenue d'Ecolys 5020 Namur.

• 🎟️ Registration: Free but mandatory, limited availability.

This workshop is a must-attend event for businesses looking to integrate circular economy principles into their operations through the adoption of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools.